RT-PCR based SARS-CoV-2 variant screening assays require careful quality control.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Distinctive genotypes of SARS-CoV-2 have emerged that are or may be associated with increased transmission, pathogenicity, and/or antibody escape. In many countries, clinical and diagnostic laboratories are under mandate to identify and report these so-called variants of concern (VOC).

Objectives

We used an external quality assessment scheme to determine the scope, accuracy, and reliability of laboratories using various molecular diagnostic assays to identify current VOC (03 March 2021).

Study design

Participant laboratories were sent the same five patient-derived samples and were asked to provide their variant detection methods, variant detection results and interpretation of results.

Results

Twenty-five laboratories reported a range of RT-qPCR-base

SUBMITTER: Camp JV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8262392 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature